I saw one thread, where someone wanted to throw their entire bankroll on the Vols. I wouldn't touch this game. Higgins out leaves a major ? for the Vols and Auburn has been so up and down this year, but also so unimpressive against good teams (I'm not convinced UT is all that). They started the last game in a major hole against UT which cost them. Slay and Daniels are 2 great players and both teams have a lot on the line with regards to the NCAAs. GLTA that play this one. I'm planning on kicking back with some cold ones and enjoying this late game, hopefully pulling the Tigs through. War Damn Eagle!
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NCAA bid may be on line in tough matchup
03/14/03
CHARLES GOLDBERG
News staff writer
NEW ORLEANS MVPs Marquis Daniels versus Ron Slay.
Perhaps an NCAA Tournament bid on the line.
Definitely a chance at redemption.
Much could be made of the individual matchups, and much could be on the line for Auburn when it opens Southeastern Conference men's tournament play against Tennessee. The two teams that received first-round byes will play at 8:45 p.m. in the Superdome with Auburn's Daniels and Tennessee's Slay leading the way.
Daniels was named the league's MVP by The Birmingham News. Slay was named player of the year by the Associated Press.
That much is certain.
The NCAA status of some teams in the SEC is less certain. Auburn, for example, is projected on the NCAA bracket by some basketball gurus. But ESPN says the Tigers, Vols and two other league teams are on the bubble.
"It's not even crossing my mind. I'm just concerned with Tennessee," says Auburn coach Cliff Ellis.
Auburn comes in at 19-10 overall after finishing 8-8 in the conference and second in the SEC West. Tennessee is 17-10 and 9-7 in the league and finished fourth in the SEC East.
The Vols will play without starting guard Jon Higgins, who was declared academically ineligible Monday. But Tennessee will counter with Slay, who is the league's leading scorer at 21.6 points per game. Daniels averages 18.2 points and leads the league in steals.
The game will be televised by WB 21 and aired on AM-690, and the winner will hope the NCAA selection committee is tuned in. Auburn guard Derrick Bird says he thinks the Tigers still have work to do with the committee.
"I have a feeling we need to get one win," Bird said. "I don't feel like the respect we should get is there ... I think if we come in and get another win it will definitely help us out."
Auburn was supposed to have an advantage in this game, having earned a bye to the second round by finishing second in the SEC West. The Tigers were supposed to play a team that was tired from a Thursday game. But the SEC East No. 3 Volunteers were also awarded a bye Monday when Georgia dropped out the tournament.
"You try to take the advantage of tired legs," Ellis said. "That's not in the cards now."
Auburn lost to Tennessee 60-57 at home on Feb. 1 in a game that started poorly for the Tigers. Auburn trailed by 13 in the first half. The Tigers have thought ever since that the loss was a winnable game that slipped away.
"We really didn't come out in that game like we were supposed to," Bird said. "I think we learned we have to come out with intensity from the beginning.
"It's a good thing we've got them again."
But the lessons learned from that game have slipped in and out of Auburn's consciousness. The Tigers didn't score in the first 5? minutes against Arkansas two games ago. They didn't score in the first six minutes against Mississippi State last Saturday.
"Every now and then teams go through a little slump," Bird said. "Nothing is major. It's just something little every game."
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NCAA bid may be on line in tough matchup
03/14/03
CHARLES GOLDBERG
News staff writer
NEW ORLEANS MVPs Marquis Daniels versus Ron Slay.
Perhaps an NCAA Tournament bid on the line.
Definitely a chance at redemption.
Much could be made of the individual matchups, and much could be on the line for Auburn when it opens Southeastern Conference men's tournament play against Tennessee. The two teams that received first-round byes will play at 8:45 p.m. in the Superdome with Auburn's Daniels and Tennessee's Slay leading the way.
Daniels was named the league's MVP by The Birmingham News. Slay was named player of the year by the Associated Press.
That much is certain.
The NCAA status of some teams in the SEC is less certain. Auburn, for example, is projected on the NCAA bracket by some basketball gurus. But ESPN says the Tigers, Vols and two other league teams are on the bubble.
"It's not even crossing my mind. I'm just concerned with Tennessee," says Auburn coach Cliff Ellis.
Auburn comes in at 19-10 overall after finishing 8-8 in the conference and second in the SEC West. Tennessee is 17-10 and 9-7 in the league and finished fourth in the SEC East.
The Vols will play without starting guard Jon Higgins, who was declared academically ineligible Monday. But Tennessee will counter with Slay, who is the league's leading scorer at 21.6 points per game. Daniels averages 18.2 points and leads the league in steals.
The game will be televised by WB 21 and aired on AM-690, and the winner will hope the NCAA selection committee is tuned in. Auburn guard Derrick Bird says he thinks the Tigers still have work to do with the committee.
"I have a feeling we need to get one win," Bird said. "I don't feel like the respect we should get is there ... I think if we come in and get another win it will definitely help us out."
Auburn was supposed to have an advantage in this game, having earned a bye to the second round by finishing second in the SEC West. The Tigers were supposed to play a team that was tired from a Thursday game. But the SEC East No. 3 Volunteers were also awarded a bye Monday when Georgia dropped out the tournament.
"You try to take the advantage of tired legs," Ellis said. "That's not in the cards now."
Auburn lost to Tennessee 60-57 at home on Feb. 1 in a game that started poorly for the Tigers. Auburn trailed by 13 in the first half. The Tigers have thought ever since that the loss was a winnable game that slipped away.
"We really didn't come out in that game like we were supposed to," Bird said. "I think we learned we have to come out with intensity from the beginning.
"It's a good thing we've got them again."
But the lessons learned from that game have slipped in and out of Auburn's consciousness. The Tigers didn't score in the first 5? minutes against Arkansas two games ago. They didn't score in the first six minutes against Mississippi State last Saturday.
"Every now and then teams go through a little slump," Bird said. "Nothing is major. It's just something little every game."
